Saturday, February 5, 2011

KI Media

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KI Media

Petition ‘On Peace not War between Thailand and Cambodia’

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 06:13 PM PST

Dear Readers, (From Khmerization)

Dr. Charnvit Kasetsri, former rector of Thammasat University, and Supala Kanjanakhundee, one of the most objective journalists for the Thai Nation newspaper, along with other prominent Thai academics, have joined force to seek supports for their petition calling for a peaceful resolution to the Cambodian-Thai border dispute. Please support them by signing the petition below:
www.petitiononline.com/SIAM2008
www.petitiononline.com/siam2007

Requesting your signature for The Santi-prachatham Announcement 'On Peace not War between Thailand and Cambodia' (see English tr. below)

English translation:

The Santi-prachatham Announcement on Peace not War between Thailand and Cambodia

5 February 2011

The Santi-prachatham group, consisting of professors, academics, and members of the public, who have a strong commitment to democracy and peace for Southeast Asia and the ASEAN Community, urgently request all parties involved to bear in mind the following considerations.

1. We urge the armed forces on both sides immediately to exercise patience and restraint, to preserve the lives and property of the people and the armed forces on both sides.

2. We urge the mutual withdrawal of armed forces from disputed areas as quickly as possible, in order to diminish tension and confrontations between those responsible for both countries' border security.

3. We urge both sides to cease the movement of armed forces into other areas under dispute, in order to prevent the spread of clashes elsewhere along the border.

4. We urge that the border disputes, especially those related to the Preah Vihear and its surroundings, be solved by bilateral negotiations, through the Joint Boundary Commission set up by the terms of the MOU of June 14, 2000.

5. We urge all sides to stand firm on the principle of ahimsa: non-violence, and to stop using the border problem for domestic and international political purposes, since this path will increasingly lead to a war that will be difficult to bring to an end.

ลงนาม/Signatures

ชาญวิทย์ เกษตรศิริ (Charnvit Kasetsiri) อดีตอธิการบดีธรรมศาสตร์ (Former Rector, Thammasat U.)

พวงทอง ภวัครพันธุ์ (Puangthong Pawakapan) รัฐศาสตร์ จุฬาฯ

ยุกติ มุกดาวิจิตร (Yukti Mukdawichitr) สังคมวิทยาและมานุษยวิทยา ม.ธรรมศาสตร์

สุภลักษณ์ กาญจนขุนดี (Supalak K.) The Nation

Charnvit Kasetsiri, Ph.D.
Help Rescuing Siam- click:
www.petitiononline.com/SIAM2008
www.petitiononline.com/siam2007
Thammasat University
Bangkok 10200, Siam (not Thailand)

http://textbooksproject.com/HOME.html, http://www.tu.ac.th/org/arts/seas;
662-424-5768, fax. 662-433-8713
------------------------------

แถลงการณ์สันติประชาธรรม

(5 กุมภาพันธ์ 2554)

จาก สถานการณ์การสู้รบตามแนวชายแดนไทย-กัมพูชา ด้านจังหวัดศรีสะเกษ บริเวณปราสาทพระวิหารและพื้นที่ใกล้เคียง จนก่อให้เกิดความสูญเสียทางทหารและพลเรือนตามแนวชายแดนของทั้งสองฝ่ายเมื่อ วันที่ 4-5 กุมภาพันธ์ 2554 ที่ผ่านมานั้น

ทางกลุ่มสันติประชาธรรม ซึ่งเป็นกลุ่มคณาจารย์ นักวิชาการ และบุคคลทั่วไป ผู้มีความปรารถนาดีต่อประเทศชาติและสันติสุขของภูมิภาคอุษาคเนย์และอาเซียน ใคร่ขอวิงวอนให้ทุกฝ่ายที่เกี่ยวข้องได้พิจารณาข้อเสนอดังต่อไปนี้

1. ขอให้กองกำลังของทั้งสองประเทศใช้ขันติธรรม และความอดกลั้น ยุติการสู้รบโดยทันที ทั้งนี้เพื่อรักษาไว้ซึ่งชีวิตและทรัพย์สินของประชาชนและกองทัพตามชายแดนของ ทั้งสองฝ่าย

2. ขอให้ถอนกำลังทหารของทั้งสองฝ่ายออกจากพื้นที่พิพาทอย่างเร่งด่วน เพื่อลดการเผชิญหน้าทางทหารตามชายแดนระหว่างกัน

3. ขอให้ยุติเคลื่อนกำลังทหารเข้าไปยังจุดพิพาทอื่นๆ ที่ยังคงเป็นปัญหากันอยู่ เพื่อหลีกเลี่ยงการปะทะมิให้ขยายตัวออกไปยังจุดอื่นๆตามแนวชายแดน

4. ขอให้เร่งรัดการแก้ไขปัญหาพิพาทเรื่องเขตแดน โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งในพื้นที่พิพาทบริเวณปราสาทพระวิหาร โดยผ่านกลไกการเจรจาทวิภาคีซึ่งมีอยู่แล้ว อันได้แก่คณะกรรมาธิการเขตแดนร่วมซึ่งได้จัดตั้งตามบันทึกความเข้าใจแห่งราช อาณาจักรไทยกับรัฐบาลแห่งราชอาณาจักรกัมพูชา ลงวันที่ 14 มิถุนายน 2543

5. ขอให้ทุกฝ่ายยึดมั่นในหลักการแห่งอหิงสา ยุติการนำประเด็นความขัดแย้งเรื่องเขตแดนมาแสวงหาประโยชน์ทางการเมือง ไม่ว่าการเมืองภายในประเทศ หรือการเมืองระหว่างประเทศ อันจะทำให้ปัญหาบานปลายกลายเป็นชนวนสงครามที่ยากจะหาทางยุติลงได้

Sacrava's Condolences to the Khmer Soldier who lost his life in Preah Vihear: Khmer Soldier Souls

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 06:09 PM PST

Illustration by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Politiktoons No. 139: The Egyptian Army

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 04:37 PM PST

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://politiktoons.blogspot.com and also at http://sacrava.blogspot.com) 

[Thai] PM chairs meeting on border clash

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 04:33 PM PST

5/02/2011
Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called an urgent meeting of heads of security and foreign affairs agencies at 1pm Saturday at Government House to discuss the border clash, acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn said.

Mr Panitan said after the meeting, the prime minister will hold a press conference to provide information of the military clash between Thai and Cambodia troops on Friday afternoon and this morning.

It was reported that Mr Abhisit was resting at his Bangkok residence amid tight security.

Temple conflict sparks border battles

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 04:31 PM PST

February 6, 2011
Suy Se

PHNOM PENH: Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire near an ancient temple on their border yesterday, hours after heavy clashes left a soldier and a civilian dead.

On Friday, a Cambodian soldier died in the skirmishes near the disputed Preah Vihear temple. A Thai soldier was captured yesterday.

A Thai villager was also killed by artillery shelling and five Thai soldiers were injured.

Advertisement: Story continues below Thailand and Cambodia accused each other of starting the fighting, the deadliest since April 2009, as the United States urged ''maximum restraint''.


The area around the 11th-century temple is claimed by both sides. Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said Phnom Penh planned to complain to the United Nations about what it called the ''Thai invasion''.

Thai soldiers had fired artillery shells 18 to 20 kilometres into Cambodian territory, he said.

But Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon played down the significance of the incident, saying: ''We are negotiating now and I am sure that everything will be fine.''

A US State Department spokeswoman said: ''The United States urges both sides to exercise maximum restraint and take all necessary steps to reduce tensions and avoid further conflict.''

A Thai army official at the border said fighting broke out on Friday at Phu Makuea, near the temple. Residents of villages along both sides of the border were evacuated, officials said.

Ties between the countries have been strained since July 2008 by a series of deadly border clashes over land surrounding the temple after its UN World Heritage listing.

Thailand and Cambodia have both been talking tough on the border issue, which some observers say serves nationalist goals at home on both sides.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear itself belonged to Cambodia, although its main entrance lies in Thailand. The boundary through the surrounding grounds remains in dispute.

The Thai-Cambodia border has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with landmines from decades of war in Cambodia.

Another border spat has focused on the Keo Sikha Kiri Svara pagoda, which is built in the disputed area.

Thailand demanded last Monday that Cambodia remove its flag from the pagoda, which it said was ''situated on Thai territory'' - a claim Cambodia vehemently rejects.

The fighting erupted just hours after Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya held talks with his counterpart in Cambodia.

Tension has worsened since the arrest of seven Thai nationals for illegal entry into Cambodia in late December. Five were given suspended sentences but nationalist activist Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary were sentenced to jail for spying, angering Thai nationalists.

Phare Ponleu Selpak circus to perform in Bohol, Philippines

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 04:03 PM PST

Cambodian circus theater Artists comes to Bohol

Saturday, February 05, 2011
PIA Press Release

A circus group which has been promoting the brightness of art in Cambodia comes to Bohol to spread the understanding of their way of life and promote their arts and culture internationally, says a respected Capitol arts and culture consultant.

Lutgardo Labad, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Executive Committee Chair on Dramatic Arts bared this as a big event for the National Arts Month, the Philippine International Arts Festival celebrations as brought by NCCA, in cooperation with the TANGHAL 5 annual school based theater festival of the National University and the Performance Laboratory of Bacolod.

The Cambodian Circus Theater group will perform in Bohol on February 18 as part of a three-city tour of the Philippines, including performances in Bacolod and Dapitan, he added.

A section of the mother organization officially named as Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS) which means "the brightness of art", the Battambang City based group belongs to a non-governmental organization providing education to children and youth by furthering artistic abilities and alternative source of livelihood as a means of alleviating poverty.


The group envisioned to improve their communities' living standards through positive cultural understanding, concentrating on future generations to promote Cambodian arts and culture, nationally and internationally, said Labad in statement sent to PIA.

After fifteen years of work, the association developed many artistic activities including Cambodian music (Classical and Wedding), Cambodian traditional dancing, painting, theater and circus, he said adding that they would come here to promote their activities.

Using a production called Wanderlife, the performances in Bohol includes a blend of circus routines like juggling, gymnastics, contortion, dance and theater, according to Labad.

The Cambodian Circus Theater Philippine Tour is a flagship project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts-Executive Committee on Dramatic Arts for the National Arts Month celebration every February.

For information, contact Gardy Labad, Head of Drama Committee of BACH Council and NCCA, at mobile number 0916-361-1786.

ASEAN chairman to visit Cambodia soon: government

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 03:57 PM PST

February 05, 2011

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) - Indonesian Foreign Minister R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa, who is also the chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will pay a one-day official visit to Cambodia soon, according to a press release from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Saturday afternoon.

It said that during his stay in Phnom Penh, he will hold a bilateral talks with Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

The statement did not disclose if his visit to Cambodia will discuss about the military clashes between Cambodia and Thailand at the border area near Preah Vihear temple, in his status as the chairman of the ASEAN.


The twice skirmishes on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning between the two neighbors left dozens of troops and locals of the two countries killed and injured.

Koy Kuong, the spokesman for the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, could not be reached for comments on Saturday.

ASEAN consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. Just a week after the enlistment, Cambodia and Thailand have had border conflict due to Thai claim of the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the temple, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.

Phay Siphan: 3 dead for Cambodia; more than 30 dead for Thailand

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 03:48 PM PST

05 Feb 2011
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Soy

The toll from the clashes between Cambodia and Thailand in the afternoon of Friday 04 February and Saturday 05 February is: 2 Cambodian soldiers died, 1 tourist in Cambodia died and about 20 injured. On the Thai side: more than 30 died and several injured.

These are the numbers advanced by Phay Siphan, mouthpiece of the Council of Ministers, in the evening of Saturday 05 Feb. He indicated that this is a preliminary number and not an official one.

"Mé Aab Siem" a Poem in Khmer by Achar Touch

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 03:26 PM PST

Pull out the troops, bring in the surveyors

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 02:09 PM PST

6/02/2011
Bangkok Post
EDITORIAL

It may never be known for certain who fired the first rounds on Friday afternoon and set off the hostilities between Thai and Cambodian troops along the border near the Preah Vihear temple that evening. Fighting flared up again yesterday morning, and before a ceasefire was agreed yesterday afternoon, at least three people were dead _ a Thai soldier, a Cambodian soldier and a Thai villager - several soldiers were injured on both sides and four Thai Rangers were captured, but later released.

Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said the fighting began when Thai soldiers fired on Cambodian troops in response to warning shots fired into the air by the Cambodians side to keep the Thais from crossing into Cambodian territory.

Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the deadly skirmish started when Cambodia fired artillery rounds onto Thai territory. ''We had to return fire,'' said Col Sansern. Naturally we in Thailand tend to give the Thai military the benefit of the doubt and believe its version of events, but regardless of who fired first, it is the governments of both countries who are at fault for ordering their respective troops to mass at the border to protect claims to a 4.2 square kilometre tract of land surrounding an 11th-century temple. In such a situation, where all the preparations are for war, it is only a matter of time before the peace is destroyed and lives are lost.


Now rational people can only hope that the events of the last two days will serve as a call to reason rather than to war.

It's high time for the Thai government and the Cambodian government to begin the difficult but not life-threatening business of settling the territorial dispute. Then Preah Vihear can enjoy its rightful legacy as a World Heritage Site, something which will bring cultural and economic benefits to both countries.

A number of things will have to happen before this becomes a reality. First both governments should call their troops back from the border. Fortunately, a ceasefire has been arranged and hopefully it will hold. But a Thai army source has already reported that three battalions and heavy arms are being sent to reinforce the approximately 3,000 troops in the disputed area. Presumably, the same sort of build-up is taking place on the other side of the border. What can this possibly accomplish?

Prime Minister Abhisit could take the lead in providing a sane example for Prime Minister Hun Sen to follow and pull Thai troops well away from the border. Surely there is no real threat of a Cambodian invasion onto Thai soil at this time, or vice-versa. However, a mutual redeployment at the same time would probably be the best route, to allow both sides to save face.

Along with a troop pullback, both sides should immediately stop any construction in disputed areas. The Thai army reportedly is building a route and a bridge to give access to the Keo Sikha Kiri Savara pagoda and other disputed areas. At the same time, Cambodia allegedly is constructing an access road to Preah Vihear temple through land that is claimed by Thailand. All such work should be halted until a boundary agreement is reached.

Finally, the Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Committee (JBC), set up in 2000 under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two countries, should be allowed to get on with its work unimpeded by political considerations.

The MOU authorises the JBC to conduct surveys and demarcate the entire stretch of the boundary. According to Article 5 of the MOU, both sides have also agreed to refrain from undertaking any action that would change the environment of the area under the conflicting boundary claim.

Prime Minister Abhisit was right to reject the demand of the People's Alliance for Democracy to void the 2000 memorandum and the work of the JBC, but he has not been forceful in making the demarcation a priority. This is the only useful solution to the border problem, and the only way that Preah Vihear temple will be able to claim its legacy.

If, on the other hand, both countries continue to adopt a war posture, there is no telling where it might lead.

[Thai] Lawyer says [Thai] govt failed Thais held in Cambodia

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 02:02 PM PST

EVIDENCE: Lawyer Nataporn Toprayoon checks the map that the Cambodia court rejected to consider in the case. This will be forwarded to the International Criminal Court.

6/02/2011
Piyaporn Wongruang
Bangkok Post

The government failed to help the two Thais convicted in Cambodia of espionage, says their lawyer.

Nataporn Toprayoon, the legal adviser for Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary, Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, said the government's response was disappointing, as it could have helped secure the release of the pair.

Promised documents failed to arrive, with government officials declining to help because the detained Thais are affiliated to the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, which is currently protesting against the administration.

A Cambodian court on Wednesday sentenced Mr Veera and Miss Ratree to eight years and six years in jail, respectively, for espionage.


Mr Nataporn said that without government help, the pair were left to the mercy of the Cambodian court, which cited a disputed map in saying they had trespassed.

It also refused to accept documents presented in their defence.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva promised to send documents to aid their case, but they failed to arrive, he said.

"Since then the government has tried to persuade the pair to accept their guilt and ask for a royal pardon, which I think is just not right," said Mr Nataporn.

Seven Thais, including Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, were arrested on Dec 29 on disputed land at the border with Cambodia and charged with trespass.

They were detained at Cambodia's Prey Sar prison for nearly a month.

Five of the seven, including Mr Panich, have since been freed, after the court suspended their nine-month jail terms.

The other two, Mr Veera and Miss Ratree, are now held in Prey Sar prison, vowing to fight to the end.

Mr Nataporn talked to Piyaporn Wongruang about how he intends to fight their cases.

Q: Do you think the fresh round of fighting which has broken out near the border will affect their plight?

A: If the fighting has any impact, it will probably be positive. The international community is likely to take more notice of what is going on.

Q: How are you preparing your fight?

A: We have worked on two separate tracks _ submitting an appeal to a higher court within 30 days and working on filing the case with the International Criminal Court, which we place higher hopes in.

Q: Why are you filing a case to the ICC?

A: The case is really about a territorial dispute which the countries have been unable to settle.

As the area on which those people allegedly trespassed has not yet been proved to belong to either Thailand or Cambodia, the court should not have authority over the case.

But the court has already sentenced them, so I think the Cambodian government has violated international agreements.

Jailing them as a result of a legal interpretation by the court has violated their human rights.

Q: What happened to the court to prompt such a verdict?

A: The court did not accept any evidence concerning the pair which we filed to prove their innocence, claiming it was not official.

The court based its ruling on a map of the area [that Thailand disputes], and concluded that they had trespassed on Cambodian territory. It claimed they were in a military area.

But our aerial map suggests they were arrested 200m behind the alleged trespassing point.

Q: The court also convicted them of spying.

A: The court cited a camera carried by Ms Ratree, and Mr Veera's diaries in which he mentioned a pile of weapons he had found. It even alleged that Mr Veera had disguised himself as a mushroom collector to keep an eye on the Cambodians.

We provided 27 documents ranging from border treaties to the map. But the court refused to consider them.

Q: How did the government help?

A: The government did not help at all. I produced a letter asking for documents from Mr Abhisit about a week before the court's verdict.

The prime minister told agencies to provide us with the information we sought, but none arrived.

I was very disappointed. The government did not provide any documents to help us fight in court.

If we had received some help from the government, it would have not ended as poorly as it did.

I think it is about our mindsets towards each other. I contacted some officials about this matter, and they said: "You are the yellow shirts' lawyer, we won't talk to you."

Q: Will you ask them again for help?

A: I don't know what I should expect or who to talk to any more. We are lawyers and we just wish to get our people back without tarnishing reputations and assigning guilt. I don't understand why the government does not see things the way we do. Since [Mr Veera and Ms Ratree's convictions] the government has tried to persuade the pair to accept their guilt and ask for a royal pardon, which I think is not right. It is not just.

Q: How are their spirits?

A: Mr Veera is in strong spirits. He has not bowed to pressure because he is firm on the point that he was on Thai soil. He told me that he would fight to the end, even if he has to die there. They are in Prey Sar, home to about 2,000 prisoners. Visits are hard to secure as they need government approval, though his mother has visited him a few times.

Alleged heavy casualties sustained by Cambodia: 64 dead; 2 batallions wiped out; 6 artillery guns, 16 armored vehicles and 4 launch rocket systems destroyed

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 01:52 PM PST

[Thai] Govt probes claim 64 [Cambodians] killed

6/02/2011
WASSANA NANUAM
Bangkok Post

The government said last night it was investigating an unconfirmed report that 64 Cambodian troops were killed in fighting at the border on Friday.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said they had received an initial report that Cambodian troops had suffered heavy casualties. The claim by a Thai military source of the 64 dead is in sharp contrast to earlier government reports that only two people - one Thai villager and one Cambodian soldier - were killed.

The two-hour exchange of gunfire near Si Sa Ket's Phu Ma Khua area took a heavy toll on the Cambodian Army's 80th and 81st battalions, said the source. Twelve suspected snipers were among those killed, the source said.

Also damaged on the Cambodian side were six artillery guns, 16 armoured vehicles and four multiple launch rocket systems, said the source. The onslaught almost wiped out the two Cambodian battallions, according to the source.

The Thai army did not start its barrage until Cambodia fired at civilian targets, a violation of the rules of engagement. "We didn't employ artillery at first, but had no choice when they directed the shelling at civilians," said the source. According to the source, the Thai army fired several hundreds artillery rounds in response to the Cambodian side's aggression to protect Thai citizens.

The heavy toll is believed to have prompted Cambodia's military leaders to call for truce talks late on Friday. Cambodian military officers Lt Gen Srey Doek and Lt Gen Chea Mon led a delegation to negotiate with Second Army commander Thawatchai Samutsakhon and Suranari Task Force commander Chavalit Choonprasarn.

Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd neither confirmed nor denied the report, but said: "If it's true, I would like to pay my condolences to them."

The plague of fanaticism

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 01:44 PM PST

6/02/2011
Voranai Vanijaka
Bangkok Post
Opinion

What I write for the Sunday column usually hits me around 2am Saturday morning, while standing in some god-forsaken nightclub, starring down at the bottom of a whiskey bottle, trying to find the meaning to life. Whiskey bottles are bottomless, I tell you, but that's neither here nor there.

Friday night in a taxi (drinking and driving is unhealthy), the driver was raving about the border clash that led to one dead Cambodian soldier, one dead Thai villager, five captured Thai rangers (despite initial reports, four were captured and later released) and several people injured.

''We should destroy them,'' he moaned. ''We are bigger and stronger, we can wipe them out,'' he groaned. ''They shot at us first,'' he blasted.

His sentiments undoubtedly reflect those of many Thais, shocked and angry, and, most importantly, ready to go to war.


All of this over a stone tablet, a flag and a pagoda on 4.6 square kilometres of dirt? Of course not, that would be silly. On the contrary, the cause is something far more existential, far closer to the soul.

All of this, because of what happened when a few old men, like People's Alliance for Democracy leader Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Thai Patriot Network leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong and Santi Asoke sect leader Samana Photirak and their Cambodian counterparts woke up one morning.

They woke up, looked in the mirror and were stupefied by the horrific reality of their benign existences, of the political irrelevance staring back at them. Shocked silly, they had to immediately find a justification for their existence on this Earth _ a reason for living, a motivation to breathe, a reminder that they are not just taking up space and wasting oxygen.

That reason is a stone tablet, a flag and a pagoda on 4.6 square kilometres of dirt.

Men have fought wars over some pretty stupid issues through the 7,000 years of human (ahem) civilisation. One that is most common in its absurd stupidity is a war where young men are sent to die and innocent civilians are blown to bits to serve the vanity of a few old men made insecure because they can no longer control their bowel movements and have to wear diapers. (The irony is, they soil themselves, yet they run the world. But then again, look at the world, it sort of makes sense.)

Fingers are pointing. You shot first! No, you shot first! Like juveniles quarrelling in a backyard. You started it! No, you started it! Like those bickering children in the playground. This was mine first! No, this was mine first! Like those tattletale little punks running to adults. He's lying! No, he's lying! (Yes, I know, referring to the United Nations as ''adults'' is a bad metaphor.)

The irrational, illogical and uncritical zeal for a cause, the extreme and blind obsession over a stone tablet, a flag and a pagoda on 4.6 square-kilometre of dirt _ it's not nationalism, it's fanaticism. It's stupid. Like Winston Churchill once said, ''A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.''

Is it possible that Maj Gen Chamlong, Chaiwat and Santi Asoke's Samana Photirak and their Cambodian counterparts might wake up tomorrow, look in the mirror and see other causes worth fighting for? Like poverty? Corruption? Social injustice? Plus a host of other real problems plaguing Thailand and Cambodia?

No. It's 4.6 square kilometre of dirt, and there is not even oil underneath it. That would be a reason worth sending young men to die and blowing innocent civilians to bits. Shall we then invade Cambodia to bring freedom and democracy to its people? Would you chuckle a little if Newin Chidchob pointed at Thaksin Shinawatra and screamed, ''You're corrupt!''?

Fanaticism is a continuous cycle of mounting stupidity. Two years ago, it was about an old ruin called Preah Vihear. Last year, it was about 4.6 square kilometres. Two weeks ago it was about a stone tablet on that 4.6 square kilometres. This past week it was about a flag and a pagoda on that same land. Yesterday, it was about the shooting, the deaths and injuries to soldiers and civilians on both sides.

Today, as you're reading this, more reasons are surely arising for Thais and Cambodians to kill each other. And tomorrow? Even more reasons.

What happens five years from now, if the fanaticism of those old men, who are too insecure and egotistical to just retire and tend to a garden, or actually help the country by building schools or homeless shelters, isn't checked and curtailed? Millions of innocents, both Thais and Cambodians, will suffer.

Because fanaticism is an airborne disease, foaming at the mouth, it catches on quick. Yesterday, bickering over 4.6 square kilometres may seem silly. But tomorrow, the deaths of fellow countrymen would demand that most foul, that most base and that most destructive of human impulses: vengeance, a driving force of fanaticism.

Look around the world. People aren't blowing each other up because of some thousand-year-old ancient feud. No, they blow each other up because yesterday their brother, cousin, friend, or that dude who just happen to have their same skin colour, same passport or same religion, was blown up _ and that demands what? Vengeance!

Fanaticism lies, dormant or alive, in the heart of every man. But in Thailand, we _ for the most part _ haven't gone so far as to strap C4 explosives to our behinds for greater glory, not just yet. However, there is a burgeoning, a blossoming of fanaticism. Look for clues, in both the red and the yellow camps.

A year ago, if you asked a red shirt why he marched, his answer would be for democracy, for a general election, for justice for Thaksin Shinawatra. Ask him today, and his answer would be because of the May 19 crackdown and his comrades killed on that day.

In 2006, if you asked a yellow shirt why he marched, his answer would be for the Royal Institution and to fight corruption. Ask him today, and his answer would be 4.6 square kilometres of dirt and ''they shot us first!'' And, oh yeah, ''Because Abhisit sucks!''

Two things both camps have in common. The first is the irrational, illogical and uncritical zeal for a cause, an extreme and blind obsession. The second is rich old men who have the talent for stirring speeches and the willingness to send the young against bullets (rubber or live) in order to justify their benign existence and to boost their political relevance.

And rest assured, none of them can change their minds, nor will they change the subject. Although I do hope they can prove me wrong.

Beware of fanaticism. It's a disease that has killed more than the plague. Nip it in the bud.

After the taxi driver calmed down a bit, I said, ''Sure, we can beat them in war.'' Because, heaven forbid, if I express any doubts over the might of the Thai armed forces against Cambodia, the driver might have kicked me out of his cab. Stranded on the tollway at midnight, on a journey to find the meaning of life at the bottom of a whiskey bottle _ no, we cannot have that.

So I said, ''Sure, we can beat them. But at what price? Is one life of somebody's son, brother, husband or father worth 4.6 sq km of dirt? The life of a daughter, a sister, a wife or a mother? Soldiers or civilians? Is one human life worth 4.6 sq km of dirt?

''It will be a guerrilla war. There will be terrorist tactics. Is your home worth getting blown up over 4.6 sq km of dirt? Living in fear and paranoia each and every day?''

I'm not a pacifist. There are reasons to fight, but 4.6 square kilometres of dirt is not one of them.

So at 2am in the morning, standing in some god-forsaken club, starring down at the bottom of a bottle, looking for life's meaning, what I saw instead was fanaticism and its meaninglessness.

But I also saw hope. Because, you see, the taxi driver was able to see reason, and he said he only had a sixth grade education. Surely, the rest of us could too. Surely, the Thai government and military and their Cambodian counterparts won't let the fanatics dhmanipulate the situation any further.

The question would then become, not who shot first, not who was here first, and not who this stretch of dirt belongs to. But who is willing to extend his hand first, and make peace.

Shaky truce after fresh fighting [-Abishit cashing in on the clash in Preah Vihear?]

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 01:37 PM PST

SOLDIER FALLS: The flag-draped body of Sgt Wutcharin Chartkhamdee, who was killed in the border clashes, arrives at Wat Siriwarawat in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district.

SCHOOL CLOSED: The roof of a school in Si Sa Ket damaged by shells allegedly fired by Cambodian troops.

THAI SOLDIER KILLED, [THAI] GOVT THREATENS UNESCO REPRISAL, CAMBODIA GOES TO UN

6/02/2011
Wassana Nanuam & Agencies
Bangkok Post

Thailand is cranking up pressure on Cambodia over the disputed Preah Vihear temple, even as a shaky ceasefire holds after the worst border fighting in two years claimed at least five lives.

The government reached a ceasefire with Cambodia yesterday after a resumption of border clashes in the morning killed one Thai soldier, taking the Thai toll to two.

Cambodia has said two of its soldiers and one civilian were killed when fighting broke out on Friday, while Thailand said a villager on its side of the border also died.

The resumption of fighting has sent thousands of people living near the border fleeing for safety, and villagers on both sides have been evacuated.

As Cambodia yesterday released four Thai rangers seized when the clashes broke out on Friday, reports emerged that the Preah Vihear temple may have been damaged.

Television footage showed smoke plumes rising near the temple, which according to Cambodia suffered "serious" damage in the fighting.


Both sides are now taking their case to international tribunals, which could further ratchet up tension along the border.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday the government would seek the suspension of Preah Vihear temple's listing as a Unesco World Heritage site following the flare-up.

The government would also submit a letter to the United Nations Security Council "clarifying" the border clashes.

"I'm asking Thais to support the armed forces in protecting the country's sovereignty," he said, adding that the army would never invade its neighbour.

In Bangkok, a few thousand supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy gathered near Government House calling on the government to resign for its handling of the Cambodia issue.

Mr Abhisit said the clashes show the border issue is sensitive and any move which could exacerbate tensions should be avoided.

Unesco's World Heritage Committee is scheduled to consider the temple's world heritage listing plan, and a development plan for the surrounding area, at a June meeting in Bahrain.

The prime minister conveyed his condolences to the families of the clash victims and said Thai soldiers were simply defending the country's sovereignty after Cambodian troops opened fire on a Thai military base in the Phu Ma Khua area of Si Sa Ket on Friday.

The renewed gunfire yesterday morning killed one soldier and wounded four others. An exchange of heavy artillery shelling on Friday afternoon left one Thai villager dead and scores of troops injured.

Thai soldiers said the morning clash took place near Huay Ta Maria village when Cambodian forces advanced towards the village and opened fire.

Thai troops retaliated and fighting broke out at two nearby locations of Ban Don-aow pass and a former border patrol base near Pha Mor E-dang.

Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the renewed fighting killed Sgt Wutcharin Chartkhamdee and left four other soldiers injured.

"We held onto our positions. When Cambodian troops advanced to occupy them, fighting was inevitable," he said.

Second Army commander Lt Thawatchai Samutsakhon led a delegation to meet Cambodia's Military Region 4 commander Lt Gen Chea Mon.

Following the three-hour talks, both sides agreed to stop firing, not to increase their forces in the disputed area, and improve coordination between unit commanders.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya briefed foreign diplomats from 16 countries, after his ministry on Friday said Cambodian troops opened fire from the Preah Vihear temple area at the Thai military, and Phum Saron village.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong has written to the United Nations to draw its attention to the "explosive situation at the border".

In a letter to UN Security Council president Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, he said Cambodian troops had no option but to retaliate in response to "flagrant aggression" by Thai troops.

Col Sansern yesterday admitted the army had reinforced troops and artillery at the border.

Meanwhile, Unesco director-general Irina Bokova expressed her deep concern at the sudden escalation of border tensions.

She called upon both sides to exercise restraint for the sake of the temple and to talk at the highest levels to defuse the tension.

Tensions Erupt on Thai-Cambodian Border

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 01:22 PM PST

Four More Reasons Why the Social Media Movement Won’t Come to Cambodia

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 01:19 PM PST


Op-Ed by PHATRY DEREK PAN AND ANGEL RYONO
Originally posted at: http://www.phatryderekpan.com/archives/four-more-reasons...

GREENWICH VILLAGE, NY – So the conversation has started – Cambodia is an unlikely candidate to ride on the social media revolution sweeping the globe. The young democratic nation of 15 million might be viewed as a model microcosm on how national policies for health and international aid should be managed. However, Cambodia does not have the same social dynamics that made the movements in Egypt, Tunisia and Iran thrives. These predominantly urban based movements cannot function in a super majority rural populace when a flood of inequalities exist hindering how Cambodian people gain access to education and technology: the real tools for change.

In addition to the three factors addressed in the first article, this second installment will look at four more variables to our understanding of an unimaginable social media movement to occur in Cambodia.

ROOTED IN RELIGION
Egypt's legacy of mingling religion and government might have created the current instability. In ancient times to present, religious leaders such as holy men and priests played vital roles in shaping social order to its people. The Muslim Brotherhood, an organized opposition group, has been pointed out as the leading voice rallying Egyptians to protest in the streets. Contrast with Cambodia, a homogeneous Theravada Buddhist nation, religion has traditionally taken a back seat to political life. Interestingly, Buddhism and some monastic scholars did play an instrumental role in forging a nationalist movement towards independence. Today, under Tep Vong, Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia, the leading religious figure insisted that devout Buddhists not vote in general elections. This has upset members of his own clergy, according to Doug McGill of The McGill Report. More importantly, Tep Vong's position inhibits any future mobilization of monks and their roles in civil society.


HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
Beginning in the late 1960's lasting until 1992, Cambodia suffered from internal instability and armed conflict. U.S. carpet bombing in the 60′s and 70′s caused more than 500,000 Cambodians to perished, widespread famine and mass displacement ensued. The bombing campaign and regional conflict lent a hand towards deteriorating the structural and political progress made during Cambodia's brief period of peaceful independence from 1946 to 1970. In 1975, riding the coattail of a decade of foreign incursion and civil war, the Khmer Rouge regime carried out genocide. After 1979, the radical-militants continued to wage violence, laid down land mines, and recruited combatants until 1991. The utter and complete destruction of infrastructure and the mass killing of a huge portion of the educated population bankrupt Cambodia's human resources. Whereas Egyptian society has consistently supported the education and welfare of youth and its population growth has been continuous, Cambodia's dark years tore deeply into the fabric of society.

Egypt's movement to depose Mubarak comes at the end of a 30-year rule. Thirty-five years after genocide, the strength of civil society Cambodia is still in development and the remnant fear and distrusts from decades of civil war and genocide casts a long shadow over discontents with the current regime.

GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED ARMY
While Egypt's military has a history of operating independently of the ruling regime and is presently taking a public stance refraining from obstructing Egypt's massive demonstration, Cambodia's military and law enforcement are mired in the system of corruption maintained by the politically powerful. Cambodia's armed forces have traditionally relied on the patronage of wealthy elites and foreign powers, resulting in allegiance to specific parties and agents, rather than broader values associated with national defense. Egypt's strong, organized, and politically neutral military is a key to the success of the popular movement. Contrastingly, Cambodia's civilian population, leading up to the 2013 election, will have very little political resources or developed social institutions to assist them in rallying towards social change.

NARROW MIDDLE CLASS
Though there are encouraging signs of an emerging urban middle class, by in large, the demographic is proportionately small and politically weak compared to Egypt and other Arab nations. Cambodia's middle class might be identified as those working in the non governmental organizations (NGOs), government service, small business owners, and garment and tourism industries. The figure is significantly narrow when the super majority of the population depends on agriculture-based labor and services, which equates to $1 a day earnings. So as the economy continues to grow, an equal importance must be stressed on the development of a robust middle class to function as a buffer. Furthermore, studies from the Pew Research Institute have shown a high correlation between effective democratic governance with a developed middle class independent from the political and business elites, enabling an environment for which social movements can be realized.

Support message from Mr. A. Chum

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 01:12 PM PST

TO ALL MY BELOVED SOLDIERS & MY BELOVED GENERALS & MY BELOVED GREATEST LEADERS

IN APPRECIATION, TO DEFENSE OUR MOTHERLAND FROM THE THIEF, FROM BOTTOM OF MY HEART
I LOVED YOU , I RESPECTED YOU, I SALUTED YOU. YOU'RE THE BEST OF THE BEST..

MAY BUDDHA PROTECT YOU ALL, AT FRONT LINES TO DEFENSE OUR MOTHERLAND, DAY & NIGHT

CHEY YO KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA ……

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: ASEAN

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 01:06 PM PST

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

PAD Thai is Mee Krob (microbe)?

Posted: 05 Feb 2011 12:02 AM PST

PAD condemns Cambodian soldiers

5/02/2011
Bangkok Post

The yellow-shirt supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), gathering on Ratchadamneoen Nok road, on Saturday issued a statement condemning Cambodian troops for killing Thai soldier and villager.

The statement, read out by Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, said the exchange of fire between Thai and Cambodian soldiers at the border area near Preah Vihear temple on Friday and on Saturday morning, killing Thai soldier and villagers and injured many others, was an act of invasion of Thailand's sovereignty.

PAD claimed that the military clash took place because the government did not comply with the yellow-shirt people group's demands.

Thailand, Cambodia agree on ceasefire

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 11:50 PM PST

5/02/2011
Bangkok Post

The talks between commander of Army Region 2 Lt Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn and commander of Cambodia's Army Region 4 Lt Gen Chea Mon had ended with both Thailand and Cambodia agree on ceasefire.

Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Saturday afternoon that the two commanders also agreed that both sides must not deploy more troops in the border area and that commanders on Thai and Cambodian troops must oversee their soldiers to prevent future clash.

Surin provincial governor Serm Chainarong said the commander of Army Region 2 had ordered a reopening of Chong Jom border checkpoint, which had been closed since Friday.

Somchai Chuapetsophon, an inspector for Zone 13 of the Ministry of Public Health, said that altogether 14 soldiers and 3 civilians were injured in the border fighting on Friday and this morning.

One soldier was killed and four others wounded in the border gun-battle this morning.

Let ASEAN help mediate soonest, says Surin [Pitsuwan]

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 11:45 PM PST

5/02/2011
Pichai Chuensuksawadi
Bangkok Post

The deteriorating situation along the Thai-Cambodian border is undermining confidence in ASEAN and affecting economic recovery, tourism and investment prospect in the region, said Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in his urgent message to the two ASEAN Member States now trading fires with casualties on both sides.

"I am deeply concerned about the serious situation on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. This violent conflict must be brought under control and return to negotiating table soonest," said the Dr. Surin.

The violent conflict started with a gun fire and artillery duels mid afternoon Friday 4 February near the long disputed site of an ancient Hindu Temple, Preah Vihear. While the International Court of Justice decided in favor of Cambodia in 1962, the areas adjacent to the Temple remain under dispute.


"I have been in touch with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cambodia, H.E. Hor Namhong, and the Foreign Minister of Thailand, H.E. Kasit Piromya, and I have appealed for calm, maximum restraint on both sides, and expressed my fervent desire to see both sides return to a negotiating table as soon as possible, said the ASEAN Secretary-General.

Dr Surin Pitsuwan also called both sides to allow ASEAN to help bring them to some form of a temporary truce and cool down the emotions and temper so that a higher interest of both peoples and that of ASEAN can be protected and enhanced.

"The situation has escalated into open conflict. And that will definitely affect our economic development, confidence in our region, and tourism and prospect for foreign investment, which have just been picking up in light of the world economic recovery," said Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan, who is a former Foreign Minister of Thailand.

Diplomatic sources reveal that Surin's wishes would be materialized soon as Indonesia, who is the current Chair of ASEAN, is also stepping up its diplomatic efforts to help the two sides arrive at a temporary solution so as to allow the bilateral mechanisms between them to accomplish their objectives of border demarcation and a general peace in the areas.

"I understand both sides now welcome some form of mediation by the ASEAN leadership," Surin said, without elaborating.

Cambodia's letter to the UN Security Council

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 11:42 PM PST

Cambodia sends letter to UN Security Council on border clash

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 11:39 PM PST

February 05, 2011
Xinhua

Cambodia has sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council informing that Thailand had entered Cambodia and attacked Cambodian troops.

In a letter dated Feb. 5, and sent to Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, president of the UNSC, Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hor Namhong said that on Feb. 4, 2011 between 3 to 5 pm, about 300 Thai troops entered Cambodian territory and attacked Cambodian troops at three locations. "This aggression by Thai armed forces was also followed by firing of many 130 mm and 155 mm artillery shells which reached as far as about 20 km inside Cambodian territory. The attack caused many serious damages to the Temple of Preah Vihear, a world heritage, as well as death and injury of more than ten Cambodian troops and villagers," the letter said.

And facing this flagrant aggression, Cambodian troops had no option, but to retaliate in self-defense and in order to safeguard Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the letter added.

Hor Namhong said in the letter that "the repeated acts of aggression against Cambodia by Thailand violate" the Judgment of International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 15 June, 1962; article 2.3, 2.4, and 94.1 of the United Nations' Charter; the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia, Article 2 in which Cambodia and Thailand are parties; and Article 2.2.c, 2.2.d, of the Paris Peace Accord in 1991.


Hor Namhong asked president of the UNSC to "circulate this letter to all members of the United Nations Security Council as an official document."

As of Saturday, two rounds of fighting were erupted near Preah Vihear Temple, and the number of casualties remained conflicting between the two sides.

Kasit Piromya, Thai foreign minister said Friday evening that Thailand will also inform other parties including UNESCO on the border incident.

While situation remained tense at the border by Saturday lunch time, military commanders are holding meeting to defuse the tension.

Both sides have been blaming the other of launching the fire first.

The relations between Thailand and Cambodia had been strained recently over the territorial dispute as Cambodia refused to remove its national flag from the front of Wat Keo Sikha Kiri Svarak pagoda, which is located in the contentious areas of 4.6 square kilometers (1.8 square miles) around the Preah Vihear temple.

The border between Thailand and Cambodia has never been completely demarcated and the issue of ancient temple has been an age-old dispute. Although the International Court of Justice in 1962 awarded the temple itself to Cambodia, the row over land plot of 4.6 square kilometers surrounding the temple have never been solved.

Thai and Cambodian soldiers clashed near Preah Vihear temple

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 11:29 PM PST

Bayon TV report on the Preah Vihear clash

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 11:25 PM PST

 

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